Come Rain or Shine

Hang in there

"Are you hungry?" Chaeyoung shoots the question once they're back at her car again.

"Not really, but maybe I am craving for some light bites"

"Perfect, we will go for an afternoon picnic then"

"What?"

Before Mina protested, Chaeyoung headed towards a garden in Seattle. It only takes 8 minutes to reach the garden. Mina is snickering upon entering the garden.

"Really? Japanese Garden? Seattle Japanese Garden? This is the place my parents used to bring me and my brother a lot every Sunday, you know to gather around with another Japanese family or company them to do their tai chi class"

"I know, as a Japanese family, I bet you visited a lot when you were here. But, I bet on my life as well that you haven't come to this garden for years"

She's right though. Mina never visited the place again. The last time probably in her college break.

Mina takes a deep sigh as if she is making a complaint to Chaeyoung.

Turns out, Chaeyoung already prepared everything. She takes some basket and a mat from the trunk.

"Are we having a picnic here, I thought you were just joking"

"I don't. You know it rains 9 months in Seattle. So when the weather is clear, I always want to go outside and enjoy the sun and the clear sky, this doesn't happen often you know"

"Ya ya okay, you're right"

Chaeyoung leads the way to the garden. It has indeed changed a lot for Mina. She can't even recognize the spot anymore. The garden is way more beautiful right now. Lots of benches, but still quiet as usual. There are not too many people there. Chaeyoung finds a perfect spot near the stream. She then opens the mat and places the basket there neatly.

Mina sits down with her. It is calm to see all the green trees and the flower blossoms. It's May. The peak of Spring has just passed, but it's still beautiful.

"I was right, am I? A lot of things changed around here, right?"

"Yeah, but how did you know? I mean............."

"I talked a lot to those who came to visit this garden often. There's this Korean couple who always visited this park every Saturday since the 80s. I stumbled upon them a lot. They told me that the government refurbished the park 10 years ago, making it more beautiful but still with lots of Japanese touches"

"Wow, even I think my parents rarely went to this place anymore, to be honest"

They just sit there in silence, Chaeyoung opens up a bottle of sparkling wine, and even brings wine glasses for both of them. They cling to the glass and enjoy the view.

Mina needed it. She's been busy with her teaching job, part-time job, her kid, her husband, her in-law. Living in a big city makes her forget to enjoy the time herself.

Mina didn't realize that she made a big sigh while closing her eyes and enjoying nature. She put the wine glass down.

Chaeyoung copied her position. Using both hands to support the body, looking up to the sky and enjoying the clean air.

"Mina, you know you can let it out. Don't hold it to yourself"

Chaeyoung said it while still closing her eyes.

"Just let it out, no one's here. No one judge you, just pretend that I am not here"

Chaeyoung continues.